Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map

ABSTRACT

Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map includes identifying a primary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network, determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map, determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a social network map from the primary user account.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts, and more specifically, tomapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of useraccounts on a social network map.

A social network is a network based application to enable a user tocreate a user account. Once the user account is created, the userestablishes connections with other users, such as friends, family, andcolleagues in an online environment. Further, once the user is connectedwith other users, the user may share information, in the form ofmessages, with each of the other users on the social network system byuploading pictures, updating personal information, updating statusinformation, commenting on other user's information, among otheractivities.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for mapping and obscuring digital representations of a numberof user accounts on a social network map includes identifying a primaryuser account from a number of user accounts of a social network,determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, arelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representationof each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map,determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of theuser accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, theterritory associated with the digital representation of each of the useraccounts on a social network map from the primary user account.

A system for mapping and obscuring digital representations of a numberof user accounts on a social network map includes a processor, computerprogram code, communicatively coupled to the processor, the computerprogram code including a receiving engine to receive metadata from useraccounts associated with a social network, an identifying engine toidentify a primary user account from the user accounts of the socialnetwork, a relationship determining engine to determine, based on themetadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account, a mapping engineto map, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relativeto the primary user account, a digital representation of each of theuser accounts to a territory on a social network map, an obscuritydetermining engine to determine, based on the relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscuritylevel for each of the user accounts, an obscuring engine to obscure,based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account, an attribute determining engine to determine adisplay attribute for each of the user accounts, the display attributerepresenting contact, relationship, or activity criteria associated withthe each of the user accounts, a displaying engine to display the socialnetwork map on a display of a user device for a user associated with theprimary user account, and a presenting engine to present a digitalreward to the primary user account based on exploration of the socialnetwork map.

A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium,the computer readable storage medium having computer readable programcode embodied therewith. The computer readable program code havingcomputer readable program code to identify a primary user account fromuser accounts of a social network, determine, based on the metadataassociated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, map, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to aterritory on a social network map, and obscure, based on an obscuritylevel, the territory associated with the digital representation of eachof the user accounts on a social network map from the primary useraccount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principlesdescribed herein and are a part of the specification. The examples donot limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and obscureddigital representations of user accounts, according to one example ofprinciples described herein.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and partiallyobscured digital representations of user accounts, according to oneexample of principles described herein.

FIG. 3C is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and no obscureddigital representations of user accounts, according to one example ofprinciples described herein.

FIG. 3D is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and partiallyobscured digital representations of user accounts, according to oneexample of principles described herein.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a mapping and obscuring system,according to the principles described herein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a mapping and obscuring system,according to the principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification describes a method and system for mapping andobscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on asocial network map, such that a user of a primary user account isencouraged to explore the social network map.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

As noted above, a social network is a network based application toenable a user to create a user account and share information with otherusers. Often, the information shared between the users is presented inan activity stream. The activity stream displays the information sharedbetween the users in a chronological order. The most recent informationis displayed at the top of the activity stream. Further, the furtherdown a user scrolls on the activity stream, the older the information.

While the activity stream displays the information shared between theusers in a chronological order, the activity stream does not encourageusers to expand their social network. If the user is not encouraged toexpand their social network, the user's social network may have a fewestablished connections with other users. Further, with a fewestablished connections with other users, the user may be less likely toaccess the social network. As a result, the user spends less timeengaging with other users and developing their social network.

The principles described herein include a system and a method formapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of useraccounts on a social network map. Such a method includes identifying aprimary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network,determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, arelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representationof each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map,determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of theuser accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, theterritory associated with the digital representation of each of the useraccounts on a social network map from the primary user account. Such amethod and system allows the digital representations of the useraccounts to be mapped and obscured on a social network map. As a result,the primary user is encouraged to explore the social network map.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “user account” meansa digital account created by a user on a social network. The useraccount may be accessed via a user name and password created by the userat time of registration. The user may specify information related to theuser account as metadata. The user account may be displayed on a socialnetwork map as a digital representation of the user account.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “primary useraccount” means a user account associated with a social network that anobscuring system renders a social network map for. The digitalrepresentation of the primary user account may be displayed at a centerof a social network map.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “relationship” meansan association for each of the user accounts relative to the primaryuser account. The relationship may be represented as a distance on thesocial network map, the obscurity level for each of the user accounts,or combinations thereof.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “social network map”means a visual representation of a social network with regard to aprimary user account. The social network map may be displayed via adisplay of a user device. Further, the social network map includesterritories associated with user accounts. The territories may beobscured based on an obscurity level.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “obscurity level”means a degree to which a territory associated with each of the digitalrepresentations of the number of user accounts on a social network mapis obscured. The obscurity level may be represented as a digital fog onthe social network map. The obscurity level may be symbolic such ashigh, medium, low, or none. A high obscurity level may completelyobscure, via the digital fog, a territory associated with a digitalrepresentation of a user account. A none obscurity level may completelyunobscure a territory associated with a digital representation of a useraccount. Further, the obscurity level may be based on a range such aszero to ten. An obscurity level of ten may completely obscure, via thedigital fog, a territory associated with a digital representation of auser account. An obscurity level of zero may completely unobscure aterritory associated with a digital representation of a user account.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “digital fog” means amechanism to obscure digital representations of a number of useraccounts on a social network map. The digital fog may be associated withan obscurity level and a territory for a user account.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “display attribute”means a characteristic, with regard to time, displayed on a socialnetwork map next to each digital represented user account. The displayattribute may be associated with a time since a user associated with aprimary user account explored a territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of the user account. Further, the display attribute mayinclude a representation of activity since the last visit to the digitalrepresentation of the user account.

In the specification and appended claims, the term “digital reward”means prizes, points, recognition, or other digital currency awarded toa primary user account. The digital reward may be based on factors suchas time primary user account is logged onto the social network, how manyterritories the primary user account has explored on the social networkmap, other factors, or combinations thereof.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, systems,and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Referencein the specification to “an example” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith that example is included as described, but may not be included inother examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein. As will bedescribed below, a mapping and obscuring system is in communication witha network to identify a primary user account from a number of useraccounts of a social network. The mapping and obscuring systemdetermines, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, arelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount. Further, the mapping and obscuring system maps, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to aterritory on a social network map. The mapping and obscuring systemdetermines, based on the relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of theuser accounts. Further, the mapping and obscuring system obscures, basedon the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system (100) includes social network(112). The social network (112) is a network based application to enablea user to create a user account. Once the user account is created, theuser establishes connections with other users, such as friends, family,and colleagues in an online environment. Further, once the user isconnected with other users, the user may share information, in the formof messages, with each of the other users on the social network (112) byuploading pictures, updating personal information, updating statusinformation, commenting on other user's information, among otheractivities.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system (100) includes a user device (102).The user device (102) allows users of the social network (112) to accessthe social network (112), create user accounts, establish connectionswith other users, and share information. As will be described below, thedisplay (104) of the user device (102) is used to display a socialnetwork map to a user of a primary user account.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system (100) includes a mapping andobscuring system (110). The mapping and obscuring system (110)identifies a primary user account from a number of user accounts of thesocial network (112). The mapping and obscuring system (110) identifiesthe primary user account based on the user that accesses the socialnetwork (112) via the user device (102).

The mapping and obscuring system (110) determines, based on metadataassociated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account. The metadata may includeif the primary user account has established connection with the otheruser accounts, how long the primary user account has establishedconnection with the other user accounts, how often the user of theprimary user account accesses the other user accounts, or combinationsthereof.

Further, the mapping and obscuring system (110) maps, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to aterritory on a social network map. This may be executed via a mappingengine (114-1). If the primary user account has viewed a user accountfrequently, the digital representation of the user account is mapped toa territory on the social network map close to the digitalrepresentation of the primary user account. If the primary user accounthas viewed a user account infrequently, the digital representation ofthe user account is mapped to a territory on the social network map farfrom the digital representation of the primary user account. Further,the proximity of the digital representations of the user accounts to thedigital representation of the primary user on the social network map canbe based on other attributes other than social network closeness. Theother attributes may include similarity, interests, other attributes, orcombinations thereof.

The mapping and obscuring system (110) further determines, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts. The obscuritylevel may be represented as a digital fog on the social network map. Insome examples, the digital fog may be a full gradient. For example, thedenser the digital fog, the higher the obscurity level. In otherexamples, the digital fog may include three obscurity levels. The threeobscurity levels may include a fogged over obscurity level, a grayed outobscurity level, or a fully revealed obscurity level. The fogged overobscurity level may be a dense digital fog that represents a territoryon the social network map that the primary user has never visited. Thegreyed out obscurity level may be a grey colored digital fog thatrepresents a territory on the social network map that the primary userhas visited in the past, but has likely changed since the last visit.The fully revealed obscurity level may be absent of the digital fog andrepresents a territory on the social network map that the primary userhas recently visited.

Further, the mapping and obscuring system (110) obscures, based on theobscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account. This may be executed via an obscuring engine(114-2). The obscurity level may be modified based on activity of theprimary user account. The activity of the primary user account mayinclude how often the primary user visits other user accounts. Such asystem allows the digital representations of the user accounts to bemapped and obscured on a social network map. As a result, the primaryuser is encouraged to explore the social network map.

While this example has been described with reference to the mapping andobscuring system being located over the network, the mapping andobscuring system may be located in any appropriate location. Forexample, the mapping and obscuring system may be located in a userdevice, a database, a social network, other locations, or combinationsthereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein. As mentionedabove, the mapping and obscuring system is in communication with anetwork to identify a primary user account from a number of useraccounts of a social network. The mapping and obscuring systemdetermines, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, arelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount. Further, the mapping and obscuring system maps, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to aterritory on a social network map. The mapping and obscuring systemdetermines, based on the relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of theuser accounts. Further, the mapping and obscuring system obscures, basedon the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the system (200) includes social network(212). The social network (212) may include a number of user accounts(215). The user accounts (215) may include user account A (215-1), useraccount B (215-2), user account C (215-3), user account D (215-4), useraccount E (215-5), user account F (215-6), user account G (215-7) anduser account H (215-8).

Each of the user accounts (215) may include activities (218). Theactivities may be in the form of messages, uploaded pictures, updatedpersonal information, updated status information, comments on otheruser's information, among other activities. As illustrated account A(215-1) includes activity one (218-1) and activity two (218-2). Useraccount B (215-2) includes activity three (218-3) and activity four(218-4). User account C (215-3) includes activity five (218-5) andactivity six (218-6). User account D (215-4) includes activity seven(218-7) and activity eight (218-8). User account E (215-5) includesactivity nine (218-9) and activity ten (218-10). User account F (215-6)includes activity eleven (218-11) and activity twelve (218-12). Useraccount G (215-7) includes activity thirteen (218-13) and activityfourteen (218-14). User account H (215-8) includes activity fifteen(218-15) and activity sixteen (218-16).

Further, each of the user accounts (215) may include metadata (220). Themetadata (220) may include social connections for a user account, asocial network map for a user account, other metadata, or combinationsthereof. As illustrated, account A (215-1) includes metadata A (220-1),user account B (215-2) includes metadata B (220-2), user account C(215-3) includes metadata C (220-3), user account D (215-4) includesmetadata D (220-4), user account E (215-5) includes metadata E (220-5),user account F (215-6) includes metadata F (220-6), user account G(215-7) includes metadata G (220-7), and user account H (215-8) includesmetadata H (220-8).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the system (200) includes a user device (202).The user device (202) allows users of the social network (212) to accessthe social network (212), create user accounts, establish connectionswith other users, and share information. The display (204) of the userdevice (202) is used to display a social network map for a user of aprimary user account.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the system (200) includes a mapping andobscuring system (210). The mapping and obscuring system (210) includesa processor (207) and computer program code (208). The computer programcode (208) includes a number of engines (214). The engines (214) referto program instructions for performing a designated function. Thecomputer program code (208) causes the processor (207) to execute thedesignated function of the engines (214). As illustrated, the mappingand obscuring system (210) includes a receiving engine (214-1), anidentifying engine (214-2), a relationship determining engine (214-3), amapping engine (214-4), an obscuring determining engine (214-5), anobscuring engine (214-6), an attribute determining engine (214-7), adisplaying engine (214-8), and a presenting engine (214-9).

The receiving engine (214-1) receives the metadata (220) from the useraccounts (215) associated with the social network (212). The receivingengine (214-1) may receive all the metadata (220) from the all the useraccounts (215). The receiving engine (214-1) may receive the metadata(220) from the user accounts (215) that have established a connectionwith a primary user account.

The identifying engine (214-2) identifies a primary user account from anumber of user accounts (215) of a social network (212). The identifyingengine (214-2) may identify the primary user account based on a useraccessing the social network (212) via the user device (202). Forexample, if a user logs onto the social network (212) as user account A(215-1) via the user device (202), the identifying engine (214-2)identifies the primary user account as user account A (215-1). Further,other methods and techniques may be used to identify the primary useraccount.

The relationship determining engine (214-3) determines, based on themetadata (220) associated with the user accounts (215), a relationshipfor each of the user accounts (215) relative to the primary useraccount. If the identifying engine (214-2) identifies the primary useraccount as user account A (215-1), the relationship determining engine(214-3) determines, based on metadata A (220-1), a relationship for eachof the user accounts (215) relative to user account A (215-1). MetadataA (220-1) may specify that user account A (215-1) has established aclose relationship with users account B (215-2) and user account D(215-4). Further, metadata A (220-1) may specify that user account A(215-1) has not established connections with user account C (215-3),user account E (215-5), user account F (215-6), user account G (215-7),and user account H (215-8). As will be described in other parts of thisspecification, the relationship for each of the user accounts relativeto the primary user account is represented as a distance on the socialnetwork map, the obscurity level for each of the user accounts, orcombinations thereof.

The mapping engine (214-4) maps, based on the relationship for each ofthe user accounts (215) relative to the primary user account, a digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts (215) to a territory on asocial network map. As will be described in other parts of thisspecification, the social network map may map a digital representationof the primary user account to the center of the social network map.Further, the digital representations of each of the user accounts (215)are mapped to territories on a social network map. The further thedigital representation of a user account is mapped from the center ofthe social network map, the weaker the relationship of the user accountand the primary user account. Further, the closer the digitalrepresentation of a user account is mapped from the center of the socialnetwork map, the stronger the relationship of the user account and theprimary user account.

The obscuring determining engine (214-5) determines, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts. The obscuritylevel represents a degree to which a user associated with the primaryuser account has explored the territory related to the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on the social network map.

The obscuring engine (214-6) obscures, based on the obscurity level, theterritory associated with the digital representation of each of the useraccounts (215) on a social network map from the primary user account.The obscuring engine (214-6) may obscures the territories associatedwith the digital representations of each of the user accounts (215) byrendering a digital fog over the territories.

The attribute determining engine (214-7) determines a display attributefor each of the user accounts. The display attribute may representcontact relationship, or activity criteria associated with the each ofthe user accounts (215). The display attribute may include a time sincethe user of the primary user account view the user accounts (215).

The displaying engine (214-8) displays the social network map on adisplay (204) of a user device (202) for a user associated with theprimary user account. As will be described later on in thisspecification, the social network map includes digital representationsof a number of primary user accounts, digital representations of useraccounts, and digital fog.

The presenting engine (214-9) presents a digital reward to the primaryuser account based on exploration of the social network map. The digitalrewards may include badges or achievement. The digital rewards can becustomized to the primary user account to encourage different behaviors.The digital reward can be rewarded based on exploring great distances ofthe social network map to encourage greater connectivity.

An overall example of FIG. 2 will now be described. A user logs onto thesocial network (212), via the user device (202), as user account A(215-1). The receiving engine (214-1) receives the metadata (220) fromthe user accounts (215) associated with the social network (212). Theidentifying engine (214-2) identifies a primary user account from thenumber of user accounts (215) of a social network (212). The identifyingengine (214-2) identifies the primary user account as user account A(215-1). The relationship determining engine (214-3) determines, basedon metadata (220) associated with the user accounts (215), arelationship for each of the user accounts (215) relative to the primaryuser account. The relationship determining engine (214-3) determinesuser account A (215-1) has a close relationship with a user associatedwith user account B (215-1). Further, the relationship determiningengine (214-3) determines user account A (215-1) has no relationshipwith the other users associated with the other user accounts.

The mapping engine (214-4) maps, based on the relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts (215) to a territory on asocial network map. The mapping engine (214-4) maps a digitalrepresentation of user account A (215-1) to a center of the socialnetwork map. The mapping engine (214-4) maps a digital representation ofuser account B (215-2) to a territory close to the center of the socialnetwork map. Further, the mapping engine (214-4) maps the rest of thedigital representations of the user accounts to territories far from thecenter of the social network map. The obscurity determining engine(214-5) determines, based on the relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level foreach of the user accounts. The obscurity determining engine (214-5)determines the obscurity level for user account B (215-2) is zero.Further, the obscurity determining engine (214-5) determines theobscurity levels for the other user accounts are ten.

The obscuring engine (214-6) obscures, based on the obscurity level, theterritory associated with the digital representation of each of the useraccounts on a social network map from the primary user account. Theobscuring engine (214-6) does not obscure the digital representation ofuser account B (215-2). However, the obscuring engine (214-6) doesobscure the digital representations of the other user accounts via adense digital fog. The attribute determining engine (614-7) determines adisplay attribute for each of the user accounts. If the user of useraccount A (215-1) last visited user account B (215-2) one hour ago, theattribute determining engine (614-7) determines the display attribute todisplay on the social network map next to the digital representation ofuser account B (215-2) is one hour.

The displaying engine (215-8) displays the social network map on adisplay (204) of a user device (202) for a user associated with theprimary user account. Since user account A (215-1) has been determinedas the primary user account, the social network map for user account A(215-1) is displayed on the display (204) of the user device (202). Asthe user of user account A (215-1) explores the social network map, thepresenting engine (214-9) presents a digital reward.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and obscureddigital representations of user accounts, according to one example ofprinciples described herein. As will be described below, a socialnetwork map is displayed to a user associated with a primary useraccount. The social network may include a digital representation of theprimary user account and user accounts.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a social network map (300) is displayed on adisplay (304). This social network map (300) may be an initial statebefore the primary user explores the social network map (300). Thesocial network map (300) may include a display a digital representationof a primary user account. The digital representation of the primaryuser account may be displayed in the center of the social network map(300). As depicted, user account A (315-1) is the primary user account.Further, the activity associated with user account A (315-1), such asactivity one (318-1) and activity two (318-2), is displayed on thesocial network map (300).

As mentioned above, a mapping engine maps, based on the relationship foreach of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, adigital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on asocial network map. As illustrated, the mapping engine maps user accountB (315-2) and user account D (315) close to user account A (315-1) onthe social network map (300). Further, user account B (315-2) and useraccount D (315) may include activity three (318-3), activity four(318-4), activity seven (318-7), and activity eight (318-8)respectively.

Further, other user accounts are also mapped to the social network map(300). However, the other user accounts are obscured from user account A(315-1) as determined by the obscuring system of FIG. 2. As illustrated,the other user accounts are obscured via digital fog (326).

Further, the social network map (300) may include display attributes(330). Display attribute one (330-1) may indicate that user account A(315-1) visited user account B (315-2) one hour ago. Display attributetwo (330-2) may indicate that user account A (315-1) visited useraccount D (315-4) one day ago.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and partiallyobscured digital representations of user accounts, according to oneexample of principles described herein. As mentioned above, an obscuringengine may obscure the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts by rendering a digital fogover the territories. Further, the obscurity level of the digital fogmay be modified based on a passage of time since the user of the primaryuser account lasted visited or viewed the digital representation of eachof the user accounts.

As user account A (315) explores territories of the social network map(340), the obscurity level may be modified. As illustrated, theobscurity level as represented by digital fog 326-5, 326-7, 326-9, and326-10 has been modified from the digital fog in FIG. 3A. Digital fog326-5, 326-7, 326-9, and 326-10 has been reduced. Digital fog 326-5,326-7, 326-9, and 326-10 may be reduced based on activity of the useraccount A (315-1).

FIG. 3C is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and no obscureddigital representations of user accounts, according to one example ofprinciples described herein. As mentioned above, an obscuring engine mayobscure the territory associated with the digital representation of eachof the user accounts by rendering a digital fog over the territories.Further, the obscurity level of the digital fog may be modified based ona passage of time since the user of the primary user account lastedvisited or viewed the digital representation of each of the useraccounts.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, if user account A (315-1) visits all theterritories of the social network map (380), the obscurity level may bereduced to zero. As a result, all the user accounts (315) and all theactivities (318) associated with the user accounts (315) are no longerobscured.

FIG. 3D is a diagram of a social network map with mapped and partiallyobscured digital representations of user accounts, according to oneexample of principles described herein. As mentioned above, an obscuringengine may obscure the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts by rendering a digital fogover the territories. Further, the obscurity level of the digital fogmay be modified based on a passage of time since the user of the primaryuser account lasted visited or viewed the digital representation of eachof the user accounts.

If the user of the primary user account fails to continue to visitand/or explore the territories associated with the user account as theuser accounts are modified over time, the territories associated with auser account may fog back over via the digital fog. As illustrated inFIG. 3D, the obscurity level may be modified thus increasing the digitalfog for territories associated with some of the user accounts. As aresult, some of the user accounts (315) are obscured via the digital fog(326).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein. In one example,the method (400) may be executed by the mapping and obscuring system(110) of FIG. 1. In other examples, the method (400) may be executed byother systems (i.e. system 200, system 600, and system 700). In thisexample, the method (400) includes identifying (401) a primary useraccount from a number of user accounts of a social network, determining(402), based on metadata associated with the user accounts, arelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, mapping (403), based on the relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representationof each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map,determining (404), based on the relationship for each of the useraccounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level foreach of the user accounts, and obscuring (405), based on the obscuritylevel, the territory associated with the digital representation of eachof the user accounts on a social network map from the primary useraccount.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes identifying (401) aprimary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network.The method (400) may identify the primary user account from the numberof user accounts of a social network via various methods and techniques.The primary user account may be identified based on a user logged ontothe social network.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes determining (402), basedon metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for eachof the user accounts relative to the primary user account. Therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount may be based on a time. For example, if the primary user accounthas established a social connection with a user account for years, therelationship may be strong. If the primary user account has establisheda social connection with a user account a few minutes ago, therelationship may be weak. The relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account may be based on frequency. If theprimary user account accesses and/or shares information on a daily baseswith a user account, the relationship may be strong. If the primary useraccount never accesses and/or shares information on a daily bases with auser account, the relationship may be weak.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes mapping (403), based onthe relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primaryuser account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to aterritory on a social network map. The method (400) may map digitalrepresentation of number of a user accounts to a territory close, interms of distance, to the primary user account on the social network mapif the relationship between the user account and the primary useraccount is strong. The method (400) may map digital representation of anumber of user accounts to a territory far, in terms of distance, to theprimary user account on the social network map if the relationshipbetween the user account and the primary user account is weak. As aresult, the closer the user account is, in terms of distance, to theprimary user account, the stronger the relationship. In some examples,the relationship between the user accounts and the primary user may bemodified. As a result, the distance of the user accounts and the primaryuser may be modified.

Further, successful expansion of the primary user's social network isencouraged through careful consideration of proximity, in terms ofdistance. Recommendation algorithms may be used to map the digitalrepresentations of the user accounts relative to the digitalrepresentation of the primary user account on the social network map.Mutual friends or interests are mapped closest the center of the socialnetwork map and are most likely to be discovered through exploration ofthe digital fog nearby. This can be adapted based on the interests andgoals of the social network, supporting the network's business goals.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes determining (404), basedon the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to theprimary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts.The obscurity level may be modified based on activity of the primaryuser account. If the user of the primary user account fails to visitand/or explore territory related to each of the user accounts, theobscurity level may be increased. As a result, the digital fog for theterritories related to each of the user accounts increases.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes obscuring (405), based onthe obscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account. If the obscurity level is high for theterritory associated with digital representations of a number of useraccounts on a social network map, the digital fog may obscure thedigital representation of user accounts on the social network map. Thismay not allow the primary user account to fully view the digitalrepresentation of the user account. If the obscurity level is low forthe territory associated with digital representations of a number ofuser accounts on a social network map, the digital fog may not bepresent. As a result, the primary user account may fully view thedigital representation of the user account on the social network map.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for mapping and obscuring digitalrepresentations of a number of user accounts on a social network map,according to one example of principles described herein. In one example,the method (500) may be executed by the system of FIG. 1. In otherexamples, the method (500) may be executed by other systems (i.e. system200, system 600 and system 700). In this example, the method (500)includes receiving (501) the metadata from the user accounts associatedwith the social network, identifying (502) a primary user account from anumber of user accounts of a social network, determining (503), based onmetadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account, mapping (504),based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to theprimary user account, a digital representation of each of the useraccounts to a territory on a social network map, determining (505),based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to theprimary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts,obscuring (506), based on the obscurity level, the territory associatedwith the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a socialnetwork map from the primary user account, determining (507) a displayattribute for each of the user accounts, the display attributerepresenting contact, relationship, or activity criteria associated withthe each of the user accounts, displaying (508) the social network mapon a display of a user device for a user associated with the primaryuser account, and presenting (509) a digital reward to the primary useraccount based on exploration of the social network map.

As mentioned above, the method (500) includes receiving (501) themetadata from the user accounts associated with the social network. Asdescribed above, the metadata may aid the method (500) in determiningrelationships and obscurity levels for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary account.

As mentioned above, the method (500) includes determining (507) adisplay attribute for each of the user accounts, the display attributerepresenting contact, relationship, or activity criteria associated withthe each of the user accounts. The display attribute may be displayed onthe social network map as described above.

As mentioned above, the method (500) includes displaying (508) thesocial network map on a display of a user device for a user associatedwith the primary user account. The digital representations of theprimary user account and the user accounts may be customized based onvarious templates. A template may specify that the digitalrepresentations of the primary user account and the user accounts arerendered as avatars. Another template may specify that the digitalrepresentations of the primary user account and the user accounts arerendered as buildings.

As mentioned above, the method (500) includes presenting (509) a digitalreward to the primary user account based on exploration of the socialnetwork map. The user of the primary user account may explore the socialnetwork map by clicking on areas of the social network map. Further, theuser of the primary user account may explore the social network mapthrough moving an avatar.

While this method (500) has been described with reference to useraccounts, the method (500) may apply to communities, projects, andfollowings. The communities may include groups of user accounts actingas a single user account. Gamification can reward community members whoexpand the reach of the community by making contacts with nearbycommunities. Further, projects may be divided into continents on asocial network map and movement between continents may be enabled toquickly jump between contexts of the project. Water between thecontinents may represent lower value noise between distinct conceptsand/or continents which isn't of relevance to any of the users interestsyet could still be explored at a rough level to look for relationshipsbetween distinct projects that might otherwise not be apparent. Further,with following, territories or entire social network maps may be sharedwith individuals, groups, or publically.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a mapping and obscuring system,according to the principles described herein. The mapping and obscuringsystem (600) includes a processor (607) and computer program code (608).The computer program code (608) includes a number of engines (614). Theengines (614) refer to program instructions for performing a designatedfunction. The computer program code (608) causes the processor (607) toexecute the designated function of the engines (614). As illustrated,the mapping and obscuring system (610) includes a receiving engine(614-1), an identifying engine (614-2), a relationship determiningengine (614-3), a mapping engine (614-4), an obscuring determiningengine (614-5), an obscuring engine (614-6), an attribute determiningengine (614-7), a displaying engine (614-8), and a presenting engine(614-9).

The receiving engine (610-1) receives the metadata from the useraccounts associated with the social network. The receiving engine(610-1) may receive the metadata from all the user accounts associatedwith the social network. The receiving engine (610-1) may receive themetadata from the user accounts connected to the primary user account.

The identifying engine (610-2) identifies a primary user account from anumber of user accounts of a social network. The identifying engine(610-2) identifies one primary user account from a number of useraccounts of a social network. The identifying engine (610-2) mayidentify several primary user accounts from a number of user accounts ofa social network.

The relationship determining engine (610-3) determines, based onmetadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account. The relationshipdetermining engine (610-3) determines, based on metadata associated withthe user accounts, one relationship for each of the user accountsrelative to the primary user account. The relationship determiningengine (610-3) determines, based on metadata associated with the useraccounts, several relationships for each of the user accounts relativeto the primary user account.

The mapping engine (610-4) maps, based on the relationship for each ofthe user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a socialnetwork map. The mapping engine (610-4) may map a digital representationa user account to a territory on a social network map close to thedigital representation of the primary user account. The mapping engine(610-4) may map a digital representation a user account to a territoryon a social network map far from the digital representation of theprimary user account.

The obscurity determining engine (610-5) determines, based on therelationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary useraccount, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts. The obscuritydetermining engine (610-5) determines the obscurity level for each ofthe user accounts based on activity of the primary user such as apassage of time since the user of the primary user account lastedvisited or viewed the digital representation of each of the useraccounts.

The obscuring engine (610-6) obscures, based on the obscurity level, theterritory associated with the digital representation of each of the useraccounts on a social network map from the primary user account. Theobscurity level may be rendered as a digital fog on the social networkmap.

The attribute determining engine (610-7) determines a display attributefor each of the user accounts, the display attribute representingcontact, relationship, or activity criteria associated with the each ofthe user accounts. The display attribute may be displayed on the socialnetwork map.

The displaying engine (610-8) displays the social network map on adisplay of a user device for a user associated with the primary useraccount. The displaying engine (610-8) may display a portion of thesocial network map. The displaying engine (610-8) may display the entiresocial network map.

The presenting engine (610-9) presents a digital reward to the primaryuser account based on exploration of the social network map. Thepresenting engine (610-9) may present one digital reward to the primaryuser account based on exploration of the social network map. Thepresenting engine (610-9) may present several digital reward to theprimary user account based on exploration of the social network map.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a mapping and obscuring system,according to the principles described herein. In this example, themapping and obscuring system (700) includes processing resources (702)that are in communication with memory resources (704). Processingresources (702) include at least one processor and other resources usedto process programmed instructions. The memory resources (704) representgenerally any memory capable of storing data such as programmedinstructions or data structures used by the mapping and obscuring system(700). The programmed instructions shown stored in the memory resources(704) include a metadata receiver (706), a primary account identifier(708), a relationship determiner (710), a digital representation mapper(712), an obscurity level determiner (714), a territory obscurer (716),a display attribute determiner (718), a social network map displayer(720), and a digital reward presenter (722).

The memory resources (704) include a computer readable storage mediumthat contains computer readable program code to cause tasks to beexecuted by the processing resources (702). The computer readablestorage medium may be tangible and/or physical storage medium. Thecomputer readable storage medium may be any appropriate storage mediumthat is not a transmission storage medium. A non-exhaustive list ofcomputer readable storage medium types includes non-volatile memory,volatile memory, random access memory, write only memory, flash memory,electrically erasable program read only memory, or types of memory, orcombinations thereof.

The metadata receiver (706) represents programmed instructions that,when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to receive themetadata from the user accounts associated with the social network. Theprimary account identifier (708) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to identify aprimary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network.

The relationship determiner (710) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to determine,based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship foreach of the user accounts relative to the primary user account. Thedigital representation mapper (712) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to map, basedon the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to theprimary user account, a digital representation of each of the useraccounts to a territory on a social network map.

The obscurity level determiner (714) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to determine,based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to theprimary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts.The territory obscurer (716) represents programmed instructions that,when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to obscure, based onthe obscurity level, the territory associated with the digitalrepresentation of each of the user accounts on a social network map fromthe primary user account.

The display attribute determiner (718) represents programmedinstructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources (702)to determine a display attribute for each of the user accounts, thedisplay attribute representing contact, relationship, or activitycriteria associated with the each of the user accounts. The socialnetwork map displayer (720) represents programmed instructions that,when executed, cause the processing resources (702) to display thesocial network map on a display of a user device for a user associatedwith the primary user account. The digital reward presenter (722)represents programmed instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessing resources (702) to present a digital reward to the primaryuser account based on exploration of the social network map.

Further, the memory resources (704) may be part of an installationpackage. In response to installing the installation package, theprogrammed instructions of the memory resources (704) may be downloadedfrom the installation package's source, such as a portable medium, aserver, a remote network location, another location, or combinationsthereof. Portable memory media that are compatible with the principlesdescribed herein include DVDs, CDs, flash memory, portable disks,magnetic disks, optical disks, other forms of portable memory, orcombinations thereof. In other examples, the program instructions arealready installed. Here, the memory resources can include integratedmemory such as a hard drive, a solid state hard drive, or the like.

In some examples, the processing resources (702) and the memoryresources (704) are located within the same physical component, such asa server, or a network component. The memory resources (704) may be partof the physical component's main memory, caches, registers, non-volatilememory, or elsewhere in the physical component's memory hierarchy.Alternatively, the memory resources (704) may be in communication withthe processing resources (702) over a network. Further, the datastructures, such as the libraries, may be accessed from a remotelocation over a network connection while the programmed instructions arelocated locally. Thus, mapping and obscuring system (700) may beimplemented on a user device, on a server, on a collection of servers,or combinations thereof.

The mapping and obscuring system (700) of FIG. 7 may be part of ageneral purpose computer. However, in alternative examples, the mappingand obscuring system (700) is part of an application specific integratedcircuit.

The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describeexamples of the principles described. This description is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operations of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products. In this regard, eachblock in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module,segment, or portion of code, which has a number of executableinstructions for implementing the specific logical function(s). Itshould also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart illustration and combination of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples, and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”when used in the specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not precludethe presence or addition of a number of other features, integers,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map, the method comprising: identifying a primary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network; determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account; mapping, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map; determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts; and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a social network map from the primary user account.
 2. The method of claim 1, in which the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account is represented as a distance on the social network map.
 3. The method of claim 1, in which the obscurity level represents a degree to which a user associated with the primary user account has explored the territory related to the digital representation of each of the user accounts on the social network map.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the social network map on a display of a user device for a user associated with the primary user account
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a display attribute for each of the user accounts, the display attribute representing contact, relationship, or activity criteria associated with the each of the user accounts.
 6. The method of claim 1, in which the obscurity level is modified based on activity of the primary user account.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving the metadata from the user accounts associated with the social network; and presenting a digital reward to the primary user account based on exploration of the social network map. 